The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has stepped up its efforts to manage Lumpy Skin Disease across India through enhanced surveillance, wider vaccination drives and stricter disease control protocols. The department is working with all States and Union Territories to contain the viral infection that affects cattle and buffalo herds. These measures follow a recent increase in disease cases reported since July 2026.
What the department is doing
DAHD has advised States and Union Territories to prioritise vaccination of young cattle, heifers and calves, alongside ring vaccination around affected areas. Other recommended steps include controlling animal movement, isolating sick animals, managing stray cattle populations, disinfecting facilities and controlling the insects that spread the disease.
A team of central experts was sent to Uttar Pradesh in August 2026 to assess the ground situation and provide technical guidance. Review meetings between the department and States were held on 27 August 2026 and 7 September 2026 to review progress.
The department has strengthened testing capacity across the country through laboratories including the Central Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories. It has also provided financial support to States for vaccination programmes, training of veterinary staff and public awareness campaigns.
As of now, more than 36.18 crore cattle have been vaccinated or re-vaccinated against the disease. The department reports 3,461 active cases, mostly among young animals and those without vaccination. Lumpy Skin Disease is a viral infection spread mainly by insects and causes fever and skin nodules in affected animals. It was first detected in India in West Bengal and Odisha in September 2019. Recent cases have been concentrated in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and a few other States.
What this means for you
If you own cattle or buffalo, ensure your animals are vaccinated as advised by local veterinary authorities. The disease shows low severity overall and affected animals typically recover within a week. Maintain basic hygiene measures and report any sick animals to veterinary officials without delay. Non-affected States are also taking preventive vaccination steps to avoid outbreaks in their regions.